How to Survive a Riot

Although the United States is a relatively safe and stable country, there are times, and places, when the civil authority begins to break down so that mobs and rioting can threaten your family. In fact, riots have been in the news quite a lot lately. It's getting so that the flash point for an urban riot and mob rule requires a much shorter fuse than in the past.

Hikingware.com asks if you are ready for such a crisis if it happens in your area? Here are some tips and ideas to help you get through the worst of a riot:

When certain densely populated areas become a cauldron of human rage and anarchy, that’s when “groupthink” begins to take over. Groupthink is the loss of reasoning in individuals – when they adopt the mentality of the crowd that they’re a part of.
It has been defined this way: a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment that results from in-group pressures.

This is one reason why it’s absolutely crucial for individuals to take cover and stay out of sight for the duration of the riot — especially during the hours that curfew is in effect. Obviously, you’ll want to keep away from downtown areas, but also, it’s best not to come within blocks of businesses, either.

You’ll know where the rioting has reached a fever pitch wherever there is looting, as this is an invaluable indication of where law and order has been temporarily overturned; places where consumer goods are concentrated tend to be magnets for looting. Also, it’s best to keep away from places that sell alcohol, because A), this is probably not the best time to be attending happy hour, and, B), alcohol will attract and enable groupthink. This is why a police scanner should be part of your emergency equipment; it can let you know where the trouble areas are. 

If you currently live within blocks of a possible rioting hotspot, then you’ll want to consolidate, hide and protect your valuables and necessities. It’s really anyone’s guess as to what the groupthinkers are going to do and where the riot virus will spread, which means that it’s best to prepare for the worst BEFORE things get out of hand. 

You should keep on hand enough lumber and nails to board up your front windows quickly so that mobs cannot get a peek inside your home. Also, a few boarded up windows may convince them that there's no one and nothing worth disturbing. 

Having a 72-hour pack ready to go out the door with you is literally going to be a lifesaver if you have to evacuate because of rioting near you. 

Remember that there are two triggers to evacuation. One, the local authorities tell you to leave, and two, you yourself decide that your home is no longer save for your family. Make sure you discuss the second trigger with all of your family, so they know ahead of time that when you give the word to go it's not time to sit down for a family council, but time to make like a bread truck and haul buns!

One final warning about dealing with rioters and police:

If you own a firearm, keep it concealed. If rioters see your weapon they might feel threatened and react immediately in a deadly manner. Also, if the police and/or National Guard see your weapon they may think you're a rioter and react in as deadly a manner as the rioters. When a riot threatens your neighborhood, don't play the hero. Get your family out with your immediate valuables and documents, and don't look back. The way to play hero is to prevent any violence to your family be removing them from the threat zone -- not by flashing your weapons around like The Magnificent Seven. 

Keeping a Food Terrarium in Your Home

KEEPING A FOOD TERRARIUM IN YOUR HOME

While they are most often used for growing flowers and other non-edible plants, it is possible to grow food inside of a terrarium.

Hikingware.com encourages you to consider the uses an indoor terrarium could have during a disaster or emergency that cuts you off from getting out for fresh food, or even just the chance to look at some greenery.

A terrarium is a closed or almost closed mini-ecosystem, enclosed in a clear container. Depending on what’s inside, the lid will either fully or partially cover the bottle. The lid will help control the environment inside your terrarium.

For each terrarium you’ll need:

• A clean, clear container with a wide top and a lid such as:
  • A large mason jar
  • A cake stand
  • A gallon pitcher
  • An aquarium
  • A plastic deli container
• Activated charcoal pieces or an aquarium filter
• Potting soil that drains well
• Enough pebbles to line the bottom of the container a by ½ inch
• Sphagnum moss
• Your desired plants and seeds (more details below)
• A spray bottle for misting
• Plastic wrap to cover the top if your container’s lid is missing or doesn’t cover tightly.

How to Assemble Your Terrarium

You’ll need four layers at the bottom of each terrarium. They are each essential to creating a healthy, low-maintenance system.

First, place a layer of pebbles or cleaned gravel at the bottom of your container. This layer allows drainage from the upper layers, and prevents your plants from rotting at the roots.

The second layer is a thin layer of activated charcoal. You can also use a piece of aquarium filter cut to size. The charcoal absorbs odors from the decomposition that’ll happen as your garden grows and keeps the soil clean.

If your plants don’t need a tropical environment, you can skip the charcoal. For these plants, you’ll be leaving the lid off of your terrarium at least partially, and the fresh air will keep the odor down.

Next you’ll add a layer of sphagnum moss. This moss is often found in swampy areas, and is also known as sheet moss. It will prevent the soil on top from making its way down to the filtering material.

Your final layer before adding plants is potting soil. You’ll want soil that stays well drained. A soil mixture comprised of peat moss, vermiculite and perlite works really well for growing in small spaces.

The soil needs to be deep enough to accommodate root growth. Three inches is a good starting point, though you can adjust this based on the plants you are growing.

Before planting, you’ll want to pack down your terrarium’s base as much as possible. You can use your hand, or a small gardening tool that’ll fit inside your container. A hand-held potato masher also works.

This packing process will remove air pockets in the soil and gravel, and help your plants grow better. Once packed, your soil and drainage materials should take up about a quarter of your terrarium container.

Not every food plant is suited for terrarium growth. You want slower growing plants that won’t grow bigger than your container. Here are some that gardeners have had success with:

• Dwarf tomato plants
• Dwarf blueberry plants
• Herbs such as mint, thyme, and oregano
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Arugula
• Green onions
• Creeping figs

A terrarium is a great project for the kids. It's simple and low maintenance, and it will give your children a sense of contributing to the welfare of the entire family as they care for it consistently. Unlike a bag of split peas, a glass terrarium can actually add beauty and color to your living room decor while providing a bit of security in times of emergency. 

Helaman 5:3

  "Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction."

Helaman 5:3

A Nephite who had a stiff neck

held mercy and justice in check.

He would not be led 

by leaders, instead

the ship of state he made a wreck. 

 

Hurricane Season

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON?

 Florida, usually considered the most hurricane-prone state, has been extraordinarily lucky until now, with Hurricane Wilma in 2005 (the same year as Katrina hit South Florida).

It doesn’t take very long for people to forget the devastation that previous hurricanes have caused in the United States. Hurricanes are one of the few disasters that advanced weather forecasting can predict well ahead of its arrival. The National Weather Service puts out regular advisories for upcoming storms. Despite this, few are prepared to handle the dangers to life and property that can occur.

Certainly, hurricanes can be severe, but they don’t have to be life-threatening for those who prepare.  Unlike tornadoes, which can pop up suddenly, hurricanes are first identified when they are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away.  We can watch their development and have a good idea of how bad it might get and how much time we have to get ready.  An effective plan of action takes into account factors like shelter, clean water, food, power, and other important issues.  By planning before a hurricane threatens your area, you’ll avoid the mad rush for supplies that leaves supermarket shelves empty. 

It's also a very good idea to have your emergency supplies on hand well before hurricane season begins, according to Hikingware.com. Because you never know what other kind of disaster or emergency may strike your neighborhood at any time. 

You can outrun one of these storms if you get enough of a head start. That’s actually one of your most important decisions:  Should you get out of Dodge?  If you live on the coast or in an area that floods often, there will be rising tide waters (known as the “storm surge”) that might be reason enough to leave. The storm surge, combined with heavy rains, can cause impressive flooding, and is the leading cause of deaths due to hurricanes.

The National Weather Service keeps a close eye on hurricanes and issues two types of warnings:

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible within a specified area.

Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected somewhere within a specified area.

In many cases, the authorities will issue an order to evacuate areas that will be hardest hit. If such an order is broadcast, you should leave. If you live in pre-fabricated housing, such as a trailer, or near the coast, it’s wisest to hit the road before the storm makes landfall. Alternatively, many municipalities will designate a hurricane-resistant public building in your own community as an official shelter.

If you decide to weather the storm at home, designate a safe room somewhere in the interior of the house.  It should be in a part of the home most downwind from the direction the hurricane is hitting you. Be certain to plan for any special needs that family members (and pets) may have.  You may wind up taking care of more people that you expect, so have more water and non-perishable food than you think you’ll need (1 gallon/day per person minimum). Filling bathtubs with fresh water would give you a reasonable supply.

Fill up gas and propane tanks early in every hurricane season. Make sure that you know how to shut off the electricity, gas and water, if necessary, and perhaps consider getting a generator and some extra gas cans. Never use gas grills or generators indoors, though, as the fumes may be life-threatening.

Some items will be very useful in the cleanup after the storm.  You’ll need work gloves, plastic garbage bags, duct tape, insect repellent, and even tweezers to deal with the splinters that inevitably are part and parcel of moving a lot of debris.  A chain saw might be needed as well.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, cell phone service may be down due to the huge volume of calls. Texts may be possible, however, even if voice calls aren’t.

By planning early to get your home and family prepared for a hurricane, you’ll get through the storm in the best shape possible.